Library of Thoughts

"People don't apply discipleship principles because we make it too complex. We need to make it simple." There is a movement afoot to simplify following Christ. It's premise is that the modern discipleship movement is too complex to be applied by most people. I see the point! It is sometimes, maybe often, a valid point. Some have created model's for discipleship that take 6-8 years to complete. Sifting out behavioral stages from scripture, hoping that if we order them correctly, and mentor people correctly most christians would choose to be disciples because it would be clear, demonstrated, packaged. Moving in the opposite direction, this simplification mindset says that many more will choose to follow Christ if we ignore all but the key principles and commands. It's clear, it's demonstrated, it's simple. Hard to argue with that, right? Except that both have the potential to miss the key. The power of the gospel. Both move past the gospel so qui...

The posture of true manhood… Outward… Biblical masculinity is aimed outward. A true man walks into a room and asks himself, "What is my responsibility here?" I am settled and strong. Because I know that the task He has given me, He will do through me. I'm just a steward. In the doorway of this room I see people who need their value affirmed. I see women I may need to protect. I know that God is looking from eternity at eternal beings He perfectly made. They are like Him. Purposefull, not victims. At work, not consumers. Managers, just like me. We are corporately humble before Him. I dress in the clothing of a man who wants others to know I am His man. I look into people's eyes, to make them lift their heads. I shake their hands, or connect with words that say, "I know you are special!" Inward... Masculinity aimed inward festers. A temptation of our day for biblical men is to be thinking, "How am I being received here?" To not enter...